Behind every staggering statistic—from America’s 9.2 billion broiler chickens to Brazil’s reign over global exports—lies the dynamic, global story of an industry fueling our plates and our economies, which we’ll explore through these compelling numbers.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States produced 9.2 billion broiler chickens, weighing approximately 44.5 billion pounds ready-to-cook
- Global poultry meat production reached 137 million metric tons in 2022, with a growth rate of 2.5% from the previous year
- Brazil exported 4.8 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022, accounting for 35% of global poultry exports
- US per capita chicken consumption was 98.9 pounds in 2022, up from 97.5 in 2021
- Global per capita poultry meat consumption projected to reach 15.6 kg by 2030
- In the EU, poultry meat consumption averaged 25.5 kg per capita in 2021
- The global poultry market was valued at $410 billion in 2022, projected to grow to $550 billion by 2028 at CAGR 5.1%
- US poultry industry generated $65 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022
- Brazil's poultry exports generated $9.2 billion in revenue in 2022
- The US poultry industry employed 1.2 million workers directly in 2022
- Globally, poultry sector provides jobs to 50 million people, including farming and processing
- Brazil's poultry industry employs 1.5 million people, 4% of agricultural workforce
- US broiler production emits 1.1 kg CO2e per kg chicken meat, lower than beef's 60 kg
- Global poultry production uses 25% less water than pork per kg protein
- Brazil's poultry sector reduced GHG emissions by 15% per kg since 2010 via efficiency
The global poultry industry saw production growth, led by major exporters and rising consumption worldwide.
Consumption
- US per capita chicken consumption was 98.9 pounds in 2022, up from 97.5 in 2021
- Global per capita poultry meat consumption projected to reach 15.6 kg by 2030
- In the EU, poultry meat consumption averaged 25.5 kg per capita in 2021
- Brazil's domestic poultry consumption grew to 48 kg per capita in 2022
- China's poultry consumption reached 14.5 kg per capita in 2022, driven by urban middle class
- US turkey consumption per capita was 14.8 pounds in 2022
- India's poultry meat consumption increased to 5.2 kg per capita in FY2022
- Mexico consumed 38 kg of poultry meat per capita in 2022, highest in Latin America
- Japan's per capita chicken consumption was 12.5 kg in 2022
- South Africa's poultry consumption totaled 1.8 million tons in 2022, per capita 30 kg
- US per capita consumption of turkey declined to 14.5 lbs in 2023 forecast
- EU per capita poultry consumption stable at 26 kg in 2022
- Brazil per capita chicken consumption 50 kg in 2023 projection
- Global poultry consumption growth 1.5% in 2023, Asia leading
- China's urban poultry consumption 20 kg/capita, rural 10 kg in 2022
- India urban per capita poultry intake 8 kg vs rural 3 kg in FY2022
- Mexico poultry consumption forecast 40 kg/capita by 2025
- Japan's chicken parts consumption 15 kg/capita, whole birds declining
- Nigeria poultry consumption 1.2 kg/capita, low but growing 10%
Consumption Interpretation
The planet is clucking its way toward a uniform pecking order, but America’s 2022 poultry plate, heaped with nearly a hundred pounds of chicken alongside a side of turkey, still rules the roost with insatiable, metric-defying gusto.
Economics
- The global poultry market was valued at $410 billion in 2022, projected to grow to $550 billion by 2028 at CAGR 5.1%
- US poultry industry generated $65 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022
- Brazil's poultry exports generated $9.2 billion in revenue in 2022
- EU poultry market size reached €25 billion in 2021, with exports at €4.5 billion
- China's poultry industry valued at $150 billion in 2022, largest producer market
- Global poultry feed market size was $140 billion in 2022, expected to hit $200 billion by 2030
- US chicken export value reached $5.5 billion in 2022, to 100+ countries
- India's poultry market projected to grow from $20 billion in 2022 to $30 billion by 2025
- Mexico's poultry industry contributed 2.5% to national GDP in 2022
- Thailand poultry exports earned $4.1 billion in 2022, mainly to Japan and EU
- US chicken market revenue $100 billion retail in 2022
- Global halal poultry market $50 billion in 2022, CAGR 6%
- Brazil poultry export volume 5 million tons in 2023 Q1, value $2.5B
- EU intra-trade poultry 10 million tons valued €15B in 2022
- India's poultry exports $500 million in FY2022, to Middle East
- Thailand chicken export price averaged $1.8/kg in 2022
- US poultry farm gate price $1.20/lb live weight avg 2022
- Global organic poultry market $12B in 2022, growth 8%
- Mexico poultry self-sufficiency 95%, imports minimal
- Poultry processing contributes $48B to US GDP annually
Economics Interpretation
The world is running on chicken, quite literally, as this $410 billion global flock—propelled by America's cash, Brazil's exports, China's scale, and Europe's trade—marches toward a $550 billion horizon, proving that poultry is, economically speaking, what's truly for dinner.
Employment
- The US poultry industry employed 1.2 million workers directly in 2022
- Globally, poultry sector provides jobs to 50 million people, including farming and processing
- Brazil's poultry industry employs 1.5 million people, 4% of agricultural workforce
- EU poultry processing employs 250,000 workers across 20 member states in 2021
- China's poultry farms and plants employ over 10 million rural workers
- US turkey sector supports 25,000 farm jobs and 15,000 in processing
- India's poultry industry generates 3 million jobs, growing at 10% annually
- Mexico's avicola sector employs 1 million people, 40% women in processing
- Thailand poultry industry provides 800,000 jobs, key in rural economy
- Poultry farming contributes to 20% of global animal protein workforce
- US poultry employs 600,000 in processing plants, avg wage $18/hr
- Brazil avicola jobs 1.8M total, 500k direct farm labor
- Global poultry workforce 60M, 70% informal in developing countries
- EU poultry sector 300,000 direct jobs, 1M indirect
- China poultry processing 5M workers, automation rising
- India contract farming poultry 2M farmers involved
- US women 45% of poultry processing workforce
- Mexico 1.2M avicola jobs, training programs for 100k yearly
- Thailand 1M poultry jobs, migrant labor 20%
Employment Interpretation
The global poultry industry stands as a mighty, feather-clad employer, supporting tens of millions from rural farms to factory floors, yet its economic might is often as overlooked as the humble chicken nugget on a dinner plate.
Environment
- US broiler production emits 1.1 kg CO2e per kg chicken meat, lower than beef's 60 kg
- Global poultry production uses 25% less water than pork per kg protein
- Brazil's poultry sector reduced GHG emissions by 15% per kg since 2010 via efficiency
- EU poultry farms recycle 70% of manure as fertilizer, reducing pollution
- China's intensive poultry systems cut land use by 80% vs extensive farming
- US poultry processing wastewater treated to 95% nutrient removal standards
- India's poultry waste generates biogas for 500,000 households annually
- Mexico poultry industry deforestation impact near zero due to soy imports
- Global poultry methane emissions 8% of livestock total, lowest among meats
- Poultry GHG footprint 5.7 kg CO2e/kg meat globally
- US broiler farms use 1,500 liters water/kg chicken, recycled 50%
- Brazil soy for poultry linked to 20% Amazon deforest halt via traceability
- EU antibiotic use in poultry down 50% since 2011
- China poultry manure pollution reduced 30% by biogas plants
- Global poultry land use 0.3 m2/kg meat, efficient protein
- US poultry nitrogen surplus 20 kg/ha vs beef 100 kg/ha
- India's poultry waste to energy 2,000 MW potential
- Mexico poultry carbon footprint 2.5 kg CO2e/kg, improving
Environment Interpretation
While poultry still faces real challenges, these global statistics show it's strutting ahead of other meats in its environmental makeover, reducing its hoofprint through savvy efficiency gains, smarter recycling, and a clear path of progress.
Production
- In 2022, the United States produced 9.2 billion broiler chickens, weighing approximately 44.5 billion pounds ready-to-cook
- Global poultry meat production reached 137 million metric tons in 2022, with a growth rate of 2.5% from the previous year
- Brazil exported 4.8 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022, accounting for 35% of global poultry exports
- The EU produced 13.7 million tons of poultry meat in 2021, with broilers representing 85% of total output
- China's poultry production hit 25 million metric tons in 2022, driven by domestic demand
- US turkey production in 2022 totaled 5.2 billion pounds, a 1.2% increase year-over-year
- India produced 4.1 million metric tons of poultry meat in FY2022, with a CAGR of 8% over five years
- Mexico's poultry sector produced 3.5 million metric tons in 2022, led by integrators like Bachoco
- Russia produced 4.6 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022 despite sanctions
- Thailand's poultry output reached 1.8 million metric tons in 2022, focusing on export markets
- In 2022, US chicken exports totaled 3.8 billion pounds, up 5% YoY
- World duck meat production was 4.8 million metric tons in 2022, led by China at 70%
- Argentina produced 450,000 metric tons of poultry in 2022
- Vietnam's poultry output reached 1.4 million metric tons, with broilers 60%
- Indonesia produced 3.2 million metric tons of poultry meat in 2022
- US egg production for meat birds supported 100 million table eggs daily
- Egypt's poultry production hit 1.6 million tons in 2022
- Philippines broiler production 1.7 million metric tons in 2022
- Iran's poultry meat output 2.5 million tons, self-sufficient
Production Interpretation
The planet's dinner plate is now overwhelmingly a poultry platter, where America's staggering 9.2-billion-chicken industrial might meets China's insatiable appetite, Brazil's export dominance, and a global flock rising relentlessly at 2.5% a year.
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